Replacing Damien Robinson: Who can Mississippi State turn to?

Two weeks before Mississippi State takes the field it suffered its first loss of 2014. The Bulldogs will be without their projected starting right tackle Damien Robinson. The senior tore his anterior cruciate ligament last Friday during the team's scrimmage.

Despite the loss the season starts in 11 days. Mississippi State will have to move on. Here are some names to keep an eye on.

Justin Malone

At this point the junior may be the most important Bulldog on the offensive line. At 6-7, 320, Malone possesses the size to move from guard to tackle. He's been working at the right tackle spot throughout camp already this summer. MSU listed Malone as the starting right tackle along with Robinson in its preseason depth chart.

With Malone at tackle, sophomore Jamaal Clayborn moves to guard. The only hiccup in this scenario is Malone's health. He missed 12 games last season with a broken foot. The injury kept him out of spring practices as well.

Justin Senior

The redshirt sophomore played in 11 games last year. Senior is likely the second option for MSU. He started at left tackle last year against Bowling Green. At 6-5, 280 he's still undersized to play tackle . With that said, senior Ben Beckwith said Senior put on enough weight in the offseason to contribute.

Ideally, MSU would have liked to hold Senior as a backup this season.

"That was a position you weren't deep at. You were hoping that a Justin Senior and Rufus could really spend this year in the supporting cast instead of the starring role," MSU coach Dan Mullen said. "But hey sometimes in Hollywood you get your breaks at the right place and the right time."

Cole Carter

At 6-6, 302 pounds the redshirt sophomore has the size to play tackle. He doesn't have the experience. He saw action in 11 games last year, primarily on special teams. He was expected to play this season, but not in a premier role on the line.

Rufus Warren

The junior played tight end last season. He continues to put on weight and by the start of season may actually be second to Justin Malone in regards to size. Warren is listed at 6-7, 295. But he's never played tackle.

"It's been going good. I've been playing left and right tackle, just getting used to both positions," Warren said. "So far it's just a technique thing. I've been trying to get the technique down."

Brandon Hill, Darrion Hutcherson

Neither tight end will be moving to tackle. But both can line up next to the tackle and help in run blocking or pass protection. Hill excels as a blocking tight end more than pass-catcher. Hutcherson, at 6-7, 250 is nearly as big as Justin Senior.

Nick Griffin, Ashton Shumpert

The running backs are Mississippi State's best blockers out of the backfield. If MSU needs help at right tackle, either could be placed in the backfield for added protection for quarterback Dak Prescott.